I am in Year 11 and have til next september to decide. I'll be going to Sixth Form at my school for sure but am less confident about my A Level choices. I went to a convention last night and I'm thinking along the lines of Philosophy & Ethics, History, English Literature and Media Studies. But are these a good combination? And what can they do for me in the future?

Does philosophy and ethics come under the umbrella course of religious studies? My course, by the same name, does. Assuming yours does too, all of those are good...except media studies (if you want to go for Russell Group/top universities.)

(Original post by Ankaret)
Does philosophy and ethics come under the umbrella course of religious studies? My course, by the same name, does. Assuming yours does too, all of those are good...except media studies (if you want to go for Russell Group/top universities.)

(Original post by whispercally)
I am in Year 11 and have til next september to decide. I'll be going to Sixth Form at my school for sure but am less confident about my A Level choices. I went to a convention last night and I'm thinking along the lines of Philosophy & Ethics, History, English Literature and Media Studies. But are these a good combination? And what can they do for me in the future?

I currently do the first three, but instead of media studies i do classical civilisation.
I would advise you to swap media studies for another subject, maybe a language?

The A levels could get you onto a variety of degrees such as: History, Politics, English Lit, Theology ect

(Original post by whispercally)
So what do you recommend instead of media studies?

.
Well...you might want to refer to the Cambridge "subject matters" leaflet or type "A level respectability table" into google. Both will tell you the same thing...take traditional subjects. So really you could do...maths, any of the three sciences, geography (I think,) Classical Civ. (Not as traditional but still respected) hmm...let me see...I'll find some others.

Also consider a language -quite highly regarded. I'm basically doing the same except a language (not media studies... thats standing out like sore thumb at the moment the otheres are great) and maths so that i'm not going all arts want one science type subject and I hate english especially literature although as they're compulsory at GCSE i'm trying really hard as I can get an A just if I try to like it.

hi, i got myprospectus today for sixth form and I'm unsure what to do..
predicted gcse grades - A*A*A*AAAAAAB - A*'s in English lit and lang and Spanish.
I think i was to do English Literature and Language, Spanish and then i'm not sure whether Economics, History or Media Studies :/ I want to do English at University. Any one any ideas?

(Original post by GrammarGirl)
hi, i got myprospectus today for sixth form and I'm unsure what to do..
predicted gcse grades - A*A*A*AAAAAAB - A*'s in English lit and lang and Spanish.
I think i was to do English Literature and Language, Spanish and then i'm not sure whether Economics, History or Media Studies :/ I want to do English at University. Any one any ideas?

Not Media Studies read above if you want reasons.

We have a useful sheet on essential and useful a levels for particular degrees at uni... its a rewording of the Informed choices section of the Russell Group website (check that out) but it says for English ussful ones are History, a MFL (youve got Spanish) and Lantin but that depends on if you did Latin GCSE, But History would be really good as it also deals with essay type questions ans essay writing skills - needed for english at any level

(Original post by whispercally)
I am in Year 11 and have til next september to decide. I'll be going to Sixth Form at my school for sure but am less confident about my A Level choices. I went to a convention last night and I'm thinking along the lines of Philosophy &amp; Ethics, History, English Literature and Media Studies. But are these a good combination? And what can they do for me in the future?

Philosophy &amp; Ethics, History & English Literature are brilliant. I take them and I would very much recommend them - they are well respected (Philosophy slightly less, but still respected), enjoyable and fit well together. But not so sure about Media Studies tbh... it isn't regarded at all well by universities. Any other A levels you think you'd enjoy nearly as much? I'd be happy to give you my opinion. Any ideas on Uni subject btw?

(Original post by tom the student)
Not Media Studies read above if you want reasons.

We have a useful sheet on essential and useful a levels for particular degrees at uni... its a rewording of the Informed choices section of the Russell Group website (check that out) but it says for English ussful ones are History, a MFL (youve got Spanish) and Lantin but that depends on if you did Latin GCSE, But History would be really good as it also deals with essay type questions ans essay writing skills - needed for english at any level

As a prospective English applicant doing 3/4 of OP's subjects can I jump in and say that Philosophy & Ethics would be useful for a Lit degree. A lot of texts are very religious, especially the older you get, and the logical thinking, analytical and essay writing skills you learn are of benefit. While a foreign language is definitely useful it is by no means essential and given the big step up from GCSE shouldn't be embarked upon lightly!